History of the Model A Perfect Blend for the Senses

300 SL ROADSTER (W 198 II)

Production years: 1957–1963

Engine: In-line six-cylinder engine with direct injection

Displacement: 2996 cm³

Output: 158 kW (215 metric HP) at 5800 rpm

Acceleration 0-62 mph (0–100 km/h): 10 s

Top speed: 155 mph (250 km/h)

Weight: 3131 lbs. (1420 kg)

Dimensions (L x W x H): 180 x 70 x 51 in (4570 x 1790 x 1300 mm)

Quantity: 1858 market, which the coupé lacked. Production of the roadster began in 1957, and that of the coupé was discontinued in the same year. scene. Its members now wore the star in the center of the radiator grill.

Of course, a tubular frame also provided the necessary torsional strength in the roadster, but it now had “normal” doors and the single-joint swing axle, which had been featured on the prototype from 1953, in order to improve driving dynamics. With a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h), the 300 SL roadster was also among the fastest vehicles on the roads, doing justice to its heritage as the successor of the race car from 1952.

The SL of the R 107 series was launched in 1971 and held on until 1989. The responsible designer: Friedrich Geiger, who had previously developed the original 300 SL.

The 190 SL was powered by a 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine with 105 metric HP, giving it a top speed of 106 mph (171 km/h). This made it one of the fastest touring sports cars of its time. Meanwhile, the Swiss magazine Automobil Revue had this to say in November 1956: “Despite its high performance, the 190 SL is not a real sports car. Instead, it is a straightforward, serious touring car with all four of its tires firmly on the ground, so to speak. Thanks to its exemplary driving characteristics, it is one of the few vehicle types with which you can reach maximum average speeds in complete safety, without rushing, and with full consideration to other cars on the road.” and typical fluted side panels. As a whole, it had a much edgier appearance than its predecessors. This did not diminish its popularity: in total, 237,287 units were produced.

With respect to legend status, the 190 SL definitely cannot keep up with the 300 SL. However, the first open-top series-production sports car of the SL family became a real sales success. Between 1955 and 1963, 25,881 units of the 190 SL were built.

The SL class is continued by the R 230 in 2001. The convertible offers a folding hardtop made of aluminum which can be stowed in the trunk using an electrohydraulic system.

Taking Descendants Into New Territory

The success story was continued by the descendents of the 300 SL. For example, take the R 129, built between 1989 and 2001 with a total of 204,940 units. A twelve-cylinder engine was used for the first time here, and the first official AMG versions of it were produced, i.e. high-performance vehicles developed by Mercedes subsidiary AMG Or the R 230 (2001–2012), also equipped with the latest technology, which won over 169,434 buyers. Or the SLR McLaren (2003–2009), of which 2,100 units were built.